St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-16
MINNEAPOLIS SOCIETY.

The Son of Poverty. the Chosen
Companion of WealIh-.His Friends
and What hey do for His Ad-
vauCenlent.
The conclusion of William Dean How
ellis serial in the December Century, COM
pleted one of the most clever sketches that
has ever appeared in our. literature. AS a
love story it is disapnointing-v for it
lacks that lively action and variety of situa-
ton, and is almost devoid Of the dramatic
climaXes necessary to a sustaining interest
in amorous tales: as faithful picture of
social development it is excellent. for in a
plain, matter of fact way, almost as though
born of experience, the author presents
social problems as they might occur to an
ambitious nobody. and allows his readers to
see that while much may be overcome, more
remains to be conquered.
~x"
Doubtless every reader of this character
sketch, for The Minister'S Charge can
scarcely be called a story found within his
own acquaintance character analogous to
Lemuel-if not in methods, at least in am
bitiOn. A desire to be regarded as having
high social status is commendable in any
one. The city of Minneapolis, which was
but now a village. has offered an oppor-
tunity for social as well as financial ag-
grandizement never equalled, and to any
one impersonally interested in the social
problem the results that are being worked
out in this population are of unusual value
as showing what a healthy seeker after So
ciety must contend with, and what accom-
pliSh. But the present purpose is not a
discussion of Minneapolis society from an
evolutionary point of view; that may be
cir nd &c Of
~
The rise of the American can usually be
attributed as much to parental pride as to
| individual energy. There is probably not
an American family in Minneapolis in
which devoted parents are not longing to
| see their children take a place higher than
they themselves have occupied in society.
| 1t is universal feeling. The son of the
humble mechanic. if he happen to have
| good wits and a decent aptitude for study.
| is forthwith fixed upon. as the coming
professional man of the family, and the
energies of father and mother and brothers
and sisters are put forth to brighten the
| prospects of the youth who is to elevate the
standing of his household, even as a little
leaven raises the whole loaf. The boy is
kept in school while his brothers learn
trades or seek work as clerks. He is am
bilious and he appreciates. more or less. the
sacrifices that are being made for him. With
| increased knowledge grows, unknown to
| its possessor, a healthy conceit-a quality,
much as it is derided, that is an absolute
requisite to success in any undertaking..
~
There are often men who are never
| known to fame that are yet born with a
passionate love for the beautiful, and a
| seemingly innate refinement. Percentage
| and heredity are defied in such cases; from
| the most unpromiSing sources come these
| gentemanly sons of nature, and when with
| their natural love is mingled studous ten
dency, it is invariably the case that the boy
! will choose associates from among those
| whose manners are gentle, and whose
homes are beautiful-he instinctively feels
! there is most that is congenial to him in
such society. Of humble parentage. he ac-
| eepts elegant surroundings with the grace
of one reared midst luxury: Every picture
on the walls of wealth contains for him
beauties which their purchasers have not
seen. Every delicate bit of china or brio
a-brac finds in him an enthusiastic adj
mirer. His manner is quiet and gentle; he
has acquired, without knowing it, all the
| little social amenities that are the peculiar
characteristics of refined society. He does
not bother himself regarding what others
think of him: he feels only that when he is
among people of refinement he is happiest
and contented.
~
And what do people think of such a char
actel?
Among the people whence he sprung he
is variously regarded. By the unthnking
he is condemned once for all as prig of the
worst type, ''aping the dudes' and trying
to ring I'M with circle entirely above
| him.
In his own home he is admired and loved
and petted. His success is a source of
pride to his father; his manly bearing in
| spires respect from rich and poor alike. so
| that his brothers, while they do not approve